Jack Ziebell alleged attackers revealed: Trio named by court after North Melbourne legend required facial reconstruction surgery following ‘unprovoked attack’ at retirement party
- Jack Ziebell’s alleged attackers have been named in court
- The North Melbourne legend was reportedly attacked after his last match
- After the incident, he required facial reconstruction surgery
Three men have been charged over an alleged attack on former Kangaroo captain Jack Ziebell just hours after his final match.
Ibrahim Behluli, 21, Abdul Karim, 29, and Masihullah Rawani, 27, were due to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday but the case was administratively adjourned and they were not allowed to appear.
However, court documents released to the media reveal that each man is accused of taking part in the alleged violent attack, which left Mr Ziebell in hospital in the early hours of August 20.
They have each been charged with committing an affray by using unlawful force, while Mr Behluli faces additional charges of causing injury to Mr Ziebell with intent and unlawful assault by kicking.
The trio later returns to court.
Jack Ziebell’s alleged attackers have been named by a court
According to the North Melbourne Football Club, Mr Ziebell was celebrating his retirement at The Osborne Rooftop & Bar with teammates and staff when he was allegedly attacked in an ‘unprovoked attack’.
At the time, a Victoria Police spokesperson said the 32-year-old was punched in the face outside the South Yarra venue, fell to the road and then kicked.
The tough North Melbourne player, who made 280 appearances for the club in fourteen years, spent the night in hospital with facial and head injuries that required surgery.
A month after the alleged attack, Ziebell said he believed he was “in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
“It wasn’t the ideal way to retire, but in saying that, it could have been a lot worse,” he said. ABC Stand.
‘Thankfully I have recovered and will make a full recovery.
‘I had surgery to fix my nose after it happened, but then I’ll probably have to go back in another 18 months to have it done again, so there are some lingering effects that aren’t great.
The North Melbourne legend was reportedly attacked hours after his last match
“But like I said, I’m lucky to be here.”
Last week, Richmond Football Club announced that they had hired Mr Ziebell to strengthen their coaching ranks for 2024.
“Jack is a leader of high character and has 15 years of experience at the highest level,” Richmond general manager of football performance Tim Livingstone said.
‘He is a driven professional who has developed his leadership qualities in the latter part of his career with the ambition to take on a coaching role.’